Shri Ram Temple Amalner, Amalner, Jalgaon

Known for the residence and work of the great litterateur, freedom fighter, and socialist leader Sane Guruji, Amalner is an educationally, socially, economically, and spiritually significant center in Khandesh. Industrialist Shrimant Pratapsheth laid the foundation for the town’s industrial progress by establishing the first textile mill here. It was this same Shrimant Pratapsheth who built the magnificent Shri Ram Mandir in Amalner. Established in the pre-independence era, this temple is today a hub for various cultural and religious programs in the city.

The name of the village Amalner, situated on the banks of the Bori River, is said to originate from ‘A-mal’ plus ‘Ner’. ‘Amal’ means stainless or pure, and ‘Ner’ is a village-denoting suffix similar to ‘pur’ or ‘nagar’. In ancient times, this region was ruled by Bhil and Gond kings. Subsequently, this area experienced the regimes of the Yadavas, Faruqis, Mughals, Marathas, and the British. Shrimant Pratapsheth played a vital role in the progress of Amalner during the pre-independence era. His original name was Motilal Manikchand Agarwal. In the year 1908, he established a large textile mill here named ‘Pratap Spinning, Weaving and Manufacturing Company’. Shrimant Pratapsheth was a visionary and philanthropic industrialist, as well as a profound scholar of philosophy. 

His books, ‘Lectures on Philosophy’ (in Hindi and Marathi) and ‘Shrimant Pratapshethji Ki Khasgi Tippaniyan’ (Private Notes of Shrimant Pratapshethji), are well-known. For the study of philosophy, he established the ‘Pratap Philosophy Center’, an educational institution of international repute, here in 1916. Sane Guruji graduated in 1922. Thereafter, he came to this very institution to study philosophy. Two years later, he joined the school of the Khandesh Education Society here as a teacher of English, Sanskrit, History, and Marathi. This school is known today as Pratap High School. Along with such educational institutions, Shrimant Pratapsheth built the Shri Ram Mandir in Amalner in 1943 for the spiritual upliftment of society.

Appearing like a grand mansion from the front, this temple is situated in a spacious courtyard. This courtyard is surrounded by a boundary wall on all four sides. On the road side, it has two large arched gateways. Upon entering through the main gate, there is a small Shiva temple on the left. Inside the temple, there is a Shivling and Nandi carved in marble stone. A short distance from here, in a stone canopy built on a high pedestal, is a unique marble idol of Hanuman. The Hanuman here is in his childhood form. The monkey-form of child Hanuman is clearly visible through the hands, feet, and face of this idol. The idol is adorned with Khandeshi cotton garments and a large crown on its head. In front of this canopy stands the grand three-story building of the temple. The main temple building reflects the influence of colonial and Indo-Saracenic architectural styles, much like South Indian temple architecture. The tall arched windows on the facade of this rectangular building are reminiscent of colonial-era structures. The square panels of the windows are decorated with floral and geometric carvings.

The structure of the temple consists of a Mukhamandapa (entrance hall), Sabhamandapa (assembly hall), Antarala (vestibule), Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), and a tall Urushringa-style Shikhara (spire) above it. Upon entering through the Mukhamandapa, which features beautiful and pleasant color schemes and pillars adorned with intricate carvings, one finds the spacious and tall Sabhamandapa. This hall is illuminated by large latticed windows on the walls on both sides and glass panes in the upper sections. At the top of the colorful, ornate semi-pillars on both walls are large elephant heads. This creates the illusion that the upper terrace of the Sabhamandapa is being supported by elephants. The railing of this terrace is also decorated with latticed carvings. In the Sabhamandapa, on the right side, a beautiful marble idol of Adi Shankaracharya is installed on a marble dais. Shrimant Pratapsheth was influenced by the Advaita philosophy of Adi Shankaracharya. On the walls of the Sabhamandapa, there are large portraits of Hanuman, Shri Ram-Lakshman-Sita, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. Along with these, two large paintings, ‘Setubandhan’ and ‘The Moment of Rest’ of Shri Ram-Sita, are worth seeing.

Above the entrance of the Mukhamandapa, there is an arch supported by elephant heads, and the face of Shri Ram is carved at the center of the lintel. In the niches near the door frame of the Garbhagriha, idols of Vaishnava Dwarapalas (gatekeepers) are carved. Above this, an image of Ganesha is placed on the wall. Inside, on a high pedestal, the enchanting marble idols of Shri Ram, Sita, and Lakshman are seated in an ornate arch.

Regular Aarti, Bhajans, and Satsangs are organized in this temple. Ram Janmotsav is the biggest festival at the temple. Various religious programs are conducted here on this day. Countless people from the surrounding area come to the temple for Darshan on this day. Various religious and cultural programs are constantly held at the temple. Many saints and spiritual gurus from across the country have visited this temple to guide the devotees. A unique feature of the temple is that newlywed couples from the Amalner vicinity first come to this temple to seek the blessings of Shri Ram and Sita. Devotees can visit the temple for Darshan daily from early morning until late at night.

Sacred History & Spiritual Significance

This sacred temple stands as a testament to deep spiritual devotion, ancient architectural grandeur, and rich local cultural traditions.

Temple Sanctum & Architecture

The sanctum sanctorum houses the divine idol consecrated according to ancient Vedic traditions, surrounded by serene courtyards and traditional temple architecture.

Sacred Darshan Gallery